SF Mayor London Breed accused of swearing in 'political ally' as interim DA

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Amid controversy, candidate for San Francisco District Attorney, Suzy Loftus, was sworn in as interim District Attorney, three weeks ahead of the November 5 election for that position.

Mayor London Breed administered the oath of office swore her in following DA George Gascon's sudden resignation, which was effective Friday.

"Despite what happens in this upcoming election, my goal is to make sure that we have strong leadership in this office so that we can continue to work to address public safety in this city," says Breed, who didn't take any reporter questions.

Loftus, who is a former prosecutor and past president of the city's police commission, says she will make crime prevention a priority.

"The reality is San Francisco deserves a world-class law office that can partner with the police, that can partner with the community and tackle these issues. And this is exactly what I will do for the day that I am here," says Loftus.

RELATED: Suzy Loftus appointed interim San Francisco District Attorney

As Loftus got to work as the city's new DA, Lief Dautch, one of her opponents in the four-way race for district attorney was out campaigning just a few blocks away.

Dautch is deputy attorney general for the State of California. Along with Dautch and Loftus, the other two candidates are deputy public defender Chesa Boudin and Alameda County deputy district attorney Nancy Tung.

Dautch calls Mayor Breed's appointment disappointing, saying, "They are political allies, and it was an attempt to try to push a political ally across the finish line."

Loftus' appointment has been criticized by civil rights groups like the ACLU, who call it undemocratic. Dautch says the "right thing to do" is to allow the chief of staff to run the office until a newly elected DA is sworn in.

"I think to have an interim appointment for these 18 days, and potentially a new DA coming after that, really destabilizes an office that is already hurting," he says.